FESTO Didactic CP, MPS 200, and MPS 400 Firmware

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 9.8
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: FESTO Didactic
• Equipment: CP, MPS 200, MPS 400
• Vulnerability: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to write arbitrary data and code to protected memory areas or read sensitive data to launch further attacks.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

FESTO Didactic reports that the following products are affected:

• FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic CP including S7 PLC(All versions): All versions
• FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 200 Systems(All versions): All versions
• FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 400 Systems(All versions): All versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119

SIMATIC S7-1200 and S7-1500 CPU products contain a memory protection bypass vulnerability that could allow an attacker to write arbitrary data and code to protected memory areas or read sensitive data to launch further attacks. Siemens has released updates for several affected products and strongly recommends to update to the latest versions. Siemens recommends specific countermeasures for products where updates are not, or not yet available.

CVE-2020-15782 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

CERT@VDE coordinated with and supported Festo in the publication of FSA-202405.

4. MITIGATIONS

FESTO Didactic has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

• (Product Group: FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic CP including S7 PLC(All versions), FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 200 Systems(All versions), FESTO Didactic Firmware Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP (< V2.9.2) installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 400 Systems(All versions)), All affected products: Update Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP Firmware to V2.9.2 or or higher

The following product versions have been fixed:

• Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP V2.9.2 installed on FESTO Didactic CP including S7 PLC are fixed versions for CVE-2020-15782
• Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP V2.9.2 installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 200 Systems are fixed versions for CVE-2020-15782
• Siemens Simatic S7-1500 / ET200SP V2.9.2 installed on FESTO Didactic MPS 400 Systems are fixed versions for CVE-2020-15782

For more information see the associated Festo SE & Co. KG security advisory FSA-202405 VDE-2024-055: Festo: Siemens S7-1500/ET200SP CPU used in Festo Didactic products contains a memory protection bypass vulnerability.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• July 1, 2025: Initial Republication of Festo SE & Co. KG FSA-202405